The town of Telluride, Colorado, is set to host its first skijoring competition despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of snow in the forecast. The event will take place on Colorado Avenue, the town’s main thoroughfare, in an effort to honor the town's Western heritage and raise local spirits. This follows a difficult start to the year for the town, which experienced a 13-day ski patrol strike and ski resort closure. Event director Ashley Von Spreecken decided to make the event free to attend and organize it in downtown to increase foot traffic. Skijoring is said to have originated in Scandinavia and evolved into a winterized version of a rodeo.